Driving mechanism for laundry machines



Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,142

- L. W. MAMMEN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed March 17.1923 4 Sheets-Sheet f 106 10 104 r (if? L. .W. MAMMEN DRIVING MECHANISMFOR LAUNDRY MACHINES 4 'Shee'b s-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 17. 1925 Feb. '191924.

Feb. 19, 19240 1,484,142

L. W. MAMMEN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed March 17. 19234 Sheet-Sheet s Feb. 19 1 24.

L. W. MAMMEN DRIVING MECHANISM FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed March 17 19234 Sheets-Sheet 4 LAWRENCE w. MAMMEN, or cnrcneo, ILLINoIa'AssrenoR, BrMESNE assrenmnn'rs, TO ALTORFER BROS. COMPANY, or Ens'r rEoRm,1r.L1nors, a CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

nnrvme MEGHANISM roa LAUNDRY macnrmss.

, Application filed March 17, 1923. serial naeza'zea' i To all whom) itmay concern:

Be it known that I, Lawemvor. W. MAM- MEN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in DrivingMechanism for Laundry Machines, of which the .following is adescription, reference being had'to the accompanying drawings, whichforma' part of my specification.

My invention relates to driving mechanism more especially intended foroperating power-driven washing machines and wringers, either combinedlyor separately; and has'for its object the rovision of means whereby thedirection 0 rotation or .operation of the, cylinder or agitator of thewashing machine will be automatically reversed at a predeterminedperiod.

provision of power-imparting means, common to the cylinder or agitatorof the 'washing machine and to the wringer, of such construction andarrangement that operation of the wringer may be readily 'discon tinnedwithout in any way afi'ectin the operation of the washing machineagitator -or cylinder; my improved construction being such that thewringer and the portion of-driving mechanism, intimately connectedtherewith, may be easily disconnected, for the purpose of shipping,.etc., from the remaining portion of said common power-imparting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the drivenmechanism, intermediate of the common power-imparting means and thecylinder or agitator of the 1 ing to provide means whereby the directionwashing machine, may be quickly placed in.

neutral or inoperative position, so that the cylinder or agitator maybefreely moved by hand without injury toany portion ofthe drivingmechanism; a further purpose beof operation of the wringer may bequickly reversed and the position of the wringer,

relative to the washing machine proper altered without in any wayinterfering with the power-imparting means or intermediate drivingmechanism.

Anotherobject of my invention is to provide a construction wherein allof the intermeshing portions of the mechanism are readily accessible forinspection and repair;

A further object of the lnvention is the and at the same time aconstruction which may be easily and comparatively noiselessly operated.

The above enumerated objects and advantages of my invention, as well asothers companying drawings,- wherein:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined washing machine and wringerprovidedwith my improved driving mechanism,

with a portion of the driving shaft-casing 'or sleeve shown in section.

- Figure 2-is a sectional plan View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,looking downwardly, with a portion of the casing-cover shown brokenaway.

Figure 3 is a detail'view,-in elevation, of z I the cylinder or agitatordriving mechanism and a portion of the main drivingl shaft; the anismand; shaft being broken away to disclose the concasings or ,housings forsaid mec struction within.

Figure 4c is a verticalsectional view, taken" on the line l-4 of Figure3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on theline 5-5 of Figure 2, lookingin the direction of the arrows.

' Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view 1 of the upper portion of.the main driving member and wrm er driving mechanism, showing portions 0a wrmger.

Figure 7- is a detail view,1nele ati of the cylinder or a tatOr-'d]rifig and raver-s;

ing mechanism, w h rtions of the casing or housing shown bro en away;the mechanism being tion just prior to a shifting of the clutch controlportion thereof.

Figure 8 is a bottom of the upper portion of the driving mechanism forthe wringer; the-viewillustrating lan view of a por tion of the gearhousing inclosing the wringer-driving mechanism shown in'Figure 6.,Figure 9 is a detail view in side elevation I shown in the intermediatepos1- a'modifiedform whereby the sections of the main drive shaft maybe. thrown out of operative relation, only. portions of the wringer andmain drive shaft being shown.

Figure 10 is a detail bottom plan view 0% the lower portion of thegearing housmg which encloses the wringeredriving mechay iii] 11 is atop plan view of the casting invention, as illustrated in the drawings,

the driving mechanism is shown applied to a washing machine and wringer;the outer water-holding receptacle or tub being shown at 10 in Figure 1,having a semi-cylindrical bottom and provided with the supportingstandards or legs 11 suitably secured to the sides of the receptacle;the bottom portions of the standards or legs being braced by the bracingmembers 12 andwith a crossmember or supporting element 13 suitablysecured to two of the supports or legs 11 located on the same side ofthe machine and with a supporting member 13.

The supporting member 13 provides suitablemeans for supporting a motor,indicated at 14, while member 13 provides proper support for thestub-shaft to which the belt-receiving pulley or wheel 15 is secured.

The stub-shaft, to which ulley 15 is secured, is provided with asuitable. worm 16, see Fi res 2 and 5; the stub-shaft having suitab ebearing in the housingor casing 17 which is secured to one of thesupports and to, the cross-member, as shown in Figure 1.

The housing 17 is made of suitable depth so as to provide a grease "oroil chamber for the gearing located therein; and the bottom of thehousing is provided-with a dependingsocket-portion 18 arranged toreceive the ball-bearing 19-and the lower end of a vertically disposedmain driving shaft 20. The shaft 20 has a socket end to receive theballbearin thrust caring for the shaft.

'The end of the main driving shaft 20, at a point within the housing 17is provided with a worm-gear 21 suitably keyed or secured to the shaftand arranged in mesh with the worm 16 so that rotation of pulley 15 willcause shaft 20 to be rotated by means of the intermeshing gearing justdescribed. The housing 17 is provided with a suitable top orcover,22.preferably removably secured to the housing by means of boltsor otherwise. v The cover 22 is shown provided with an upwardlypresented extended hubportion 23 arran ed to provide an elongated bearinfor the aft 20. The up er end of the hu portion 23 is preferably souldered, as shown in Fi re 5, so as to receive the end of the tubu arsleeve-24 adapted to surround the drive-shaft 20; the sleeve extendsupward to aboss formed on the under side 0 a gear casing 25surroundingthe gearing and clutch mechanism intermediate-of the main drive-shaft 20and the washing ma-'.

chine cylinder or agitator operating mecha- 19, whichprovides ananti-friction '32, is provided wi tre ds nisin hereinafter described.The boss on the lower side of the casing 25 is formed so as .to receivea suitable bushing, as shown moved vertically into and out of clutching.

engagement with the extended hub or clutchelement 28 of gear 27 andthereby transmit rotation from shaft 20 to gear 27.

The bevel gear 27 is shown in mesh with a vertically disposed bevel gear30, secured to a horizontally disposed shaft 31 whichextends out throughthe sides-of the housing 25 and into a housing 32 secured to the side ofthe washing machine, as shownin Figure 1, at a point coincident with thepoint where the stub-shaft ortrunnion 33, see Figure 4:, for rotatingthe cylinder or agitator within the washing machine,'extends through the'side wall of the machine.

The housing 32 is preferably of the circular formation shown and made intwo 34, 34: and 35, 35, at diametrically opposite points, adapted to bebolted or otherwise secured together as shown in Figure 7 and providesuitable bearings for the shaft 31 which extends through'the housing 32,as

shown in Figure 3. The hub-portions 3t and 35 are shown -socketed toreceive suitable bushings about the shaft 31, see Figure 3.

The lower portion 32 of housing 32 is referably provided with the.integrallv ormed rear wall as" clearly shownin Figure 4; while theupper portion 32 is in the nature of a band adapted to fit onto the rearwall, see Figure 4:; a suitable flange may be provided as showntomaintain the top portion in proper relation with the rear wall.

The stub-shaft or trunnion 33, whereby the cylinder or agitator of thewashing machine is operated, extends into the housing 32, as shown inFigure 4, and is there provided with the large circular bevel gear 36secured thereto so as to rotate said shaft or trunnion 33.

The shaft 31 at points within the housing t two bevel gears 37 and 38,at opposite ends of the shaft. Both of these gears 37 and 38 are looselymounted on the shaft and provided with extended hubs or clutch. elements39 and 40, respectively, presented toward each other and adapted to beengaged by a double clutch member 41 slidably secured on the shaft 31-by a' slot and in connection, shown in Figures 3, 4 and The doubleclutch member 41 is provided adjacent each end thereof with, flanges 42and 43 adapted to be engaged by the free end of a lever 44 whichispivotally mounted at 45 on a downwardly bowed bracket 46 supported atboth ends tothe upper portion of the casing orv housing 32, as clearlyshown in Figures 3 and 7.

The free end of lever 44 may be provided with a roller 47 so as to haveanti-friction relation with the flanges 42 and 43 of the double clutchmember 41 when the lever is operated and brought .into'controllingrelation with either one of, said flanges. The lever 44 is formed soasto extend above and over the pivotal point to the opposite side of thebracket 46, in order to provide a portion depending below the pivotalpoint 45 where it is formed with a projection or pin 48 adapted toextend through a slot or opening '49 formed in anarm 'or plate 50' whichis slidably mounted at its upper end on a.

rod 51. The rod 51 is secured between suitable lugs or brackets 52formed on the rear wall of the casing 32, as shown in Figures 3 and 7.The lower end of arm or plate 50 is preferably ofl"-set as shown andsuitably secured to a traveling member 53. Member 53 is internallythreaded to receive a screw rod or shaft 54, which extends therethrough,as shown in Figures 3 and 7.

The screw-rod or shaft 54 is journaled in suitable bosses, preferablyformed integral with the peripheral flanges of the lower member of thecasing or housing. 32, as shown in Figure 3. One end of the rod 54,to-wit the end to the left in Figure 3, is left unthreaded and hasloosely mounted thereon a pinion 55 which meshes with a Pinion 56 shownmounted on the extended hub or clutch-element 40 of bevel-gear 38; thepinion 56 being secured to the hub of bevel gear 38 so as torotatetherewith. The

pinion 55 is held against longitudinal movement on rod 54 in anysuitable manner, as

, for example, by collars or flanges 57 and 58;

collar 57 being'shown located within the hollow extended hub-portion 59of the pinion 55.

The extended hub 59 is provided with suit-- able engaging surfaces ornotches adapted to receive the protruding lugs 60 of a clutch member 61which is slidably mounted on rod 54, but keyed thereto so as to inducerotation of rod 54 when clutch 61 has been at opposite formed head 62 ofthe clutch-operating lever 63 extends. through the side wall of thehousing 32, as clearly shown in Figure 4, and is adapted to beoscillated. As is clearly evident from" theconstruction, movement of thelever 63 inoperative position of the clutch being illus-' trated inFigure 3.

When lever 63 has been oscillated so as to force clutch member 61 intoclutching en-. gagement with the hub of pinion 55, screwk The lever 63extends r rod or shaft 54 will be rotated through the mediumof pinions55, 56, and bevel gear 38 which meshes with the large bevel gear 36.

Rotation of screw-rod or shaft 54 will induce. member 53 to travellengthwise of the shaft or rod the direction of travel depending uponthe direction of rotation of screwrod or shaft 54; For example, withthedouble clutch 41 moved into clutching engagement with the hub 39 ofbevel-gear 37, l

and with shaft 31 .rotating in the direction of the arrow shown inFigure 3, the bevel gear 37 will cause the ear wheel 36 to rotateclockwise or toward t e right in Figure 3, and'this, in turn, will causebevel gear 38 to move in the opposite direction of bevel gear 37 Byreason of the connection between bevel gear 38 and pinion 56, the latterwill rotate in similar: direction as gear 38 and thereby cause pinion55't0 rotate in the direction of the arrow. If clutch 61 has been movedinto clutching engagement with the hub of pinion 55, it is'evident thatscrew-rod or shaft 54 will becaused to rotate in similar direction aspinion 55. Such rotation of rod or shaft 54 will cause member 53 totravel toward theleft in Figure 3 and there fore also inducearm 50 tomove therewith; the latter sliding along at its upper end on the rod 51.By reason of the slot and .pin connection between arm 50 and lever 44,the latter will also be caused to oscillate toward the left andtherebymove the free end'of the lever out .of holding contact with the flan c42 at therighth'and end of double clutc member 41. y

In order. to induce a positive movement of leverv 44 into operativeengagement with the flanges of clutch-member 41, I provide a tensionspring 64. one end whereof is so;

erably at a point substantiallv in vertical cured in anv' suitablemanner to the free or lower end of leveri44. while the other end issecuredto a suitable lug formed onr" the inner periphery of the housing'32, prefalinement with the pivotal point 45 of lever 44; with theresult that spring 64 will be in a greater extended condition when lever44 is substantially at dead center, as disclosed in Figure 7., andtherefore in condition to exert greater pull on the lever as soon as thelatter has been shifted slightly to one'side .of a dead center. Theresult of the construction just described is that as soon as arm 50, byreason of the slot and pin connection with lever 44, has moved the leverslightly to the left of the dead center. the tension of spring 64 willforce lever 44 into positive and rapid contact with the flange 43at theleft hand end of double clutch-member 41.' This will cause clutch-member41 to be thrown out of clutching engagement with bevel gear-37 and forceit into clutching engagement with hub 40 of bevel gear 38; and by'reasonof the slot and pin connection between the clutch 41 and shaft 31,bevelgear38 will be caused to rotate in similar direction with shaft 31and thereby induce large bevel gear 36 to rotate unclockwise or to theleft in F igure 3.

Rotation of bevel gear 38 and therefore also pinion 56. in similardirection with shaft31, will induce pinion 55 to rotate in oppositedirection to that previously described and indicated by the arrow, sothat when the clutch 61 is moved into engagement with the hub 59 ofpinion 55, screw-rod or shaft 54 will be caused to rotate in similardirection as pinion 55. Such rotation'of screw-rod or shaft 54 willforce member 53 to travel in the opposite direction from that previouslydescribed, namely toward the right in Figure 3. which, in turn, willinduce arm to also slide to the right and 'cause lever 44 to be swungback to the position shown in Figure 3 after the opposite end of theslot or opening in arm 50 has been brought into striking engagement withpin 48 on lever 44.

With a d-ifl'e'rence in the sizes of the gearing intermediate ofscrew-rod or shaft 54 and bevelgear 38, screw-rod or shaft .54 will'becaused to rotate at the desired speed relative to the speed of shaft31, so that by the time traveling member 53 has traveled from oneextreme to the other, large bevel gear 36 will havebeen, rotated apredetermined distance and therefore also have caused the cylinder or.washin' machine agitator to be rotated in a given irection a selectednumber of revolutions before the clutch mechanism. has been shifted soas to induce'a reverse operation of the cylinder orr agitator.

Lever 63, preferably'at a oint in proximity to its axis, is provider?with a short arm 65, see Figures 4 and 7, to which is ivbted a link 66.The op osite end of lin 66 ispivoted to a lever 6 which is pivdtally J66ounted intthe gear casing or housing 25 whereby beve gear 27 isoperatively connected to. shaft 20. 'The inner end of lever 57, likelever 63, is preferably provided with an eccentrically disposed head 68arranged between the circumferential flanges 69, 69 of clutch-member 29.As is evident from the construction just described, when clutch 29 hasbeen moved to neutral or inoperative position, clutch-member 61 willlikewise have been. moved to neutral position; and thereby disconnectedpinion from screw-- rod or shaft 54. This will allow the cylinder oragitator of the washing machine to be freely rotated for the purpose ofobtain ing access thereto without causing injury to any of the drivingmechanism.

The lower portion 32 of housing 32 is preferably provided with a partialouter wall, as shown at 32, extending to a point slightly abovescrew-rod or shaft 54-s0 as to provide an inclosed grease or oil chamberwhich enables lubricant to be supplied to all of the inclosed gearingwithin the housing.

The outer side of the housing 32, above the partial outer wall 32, isprovided with a cover 32, see. Figure 4, which may be secured in placein any suitable manner, as for example by providing the lower part withan ofi-set lip or lug adapted to'take rearward of the partial wall 32while the upper part may be provided with a setscrew or bolt, asindicated at 70 in Figure .4. As is apparent from the construction,

the cover 32 may be readily removed and thus completely disclose themechanism within the housing; and by reason of the formation of thehousing in two portions or parts as previously described, it is evidentthat the gearing and other inclosed mechanism may be easily assembledand put into. place and the housing readily placed about the end of theshaft.

Where the driving mechanism is also intended to tiansmitpower to awringer, I prefer to construct the vertically disposed in Figure 6, sothat said wringer driving mechanism together with the wringer, may beremoved from operative position and placed in the washing machine forshipping,

etc. The lower portion of shaft 20 is shown 20 above the housing orcasing 25 and thus not only prevents lateral movement of the shaft, butalso provides a union or interlocking element with the upper. sectionL20 'drive shaft 20 in two parts, as disclosed to the washing machine.

of the shaft so as to transmit motion there to. The lower end of theupper shaft section 20 is also preferably provided with a ferrule. 73secured in any suitable manner to the shaft-section so as to rotatetherewith. The ferrule73 is grooved or slotted to re ceive the upwardlypresented lug 74 on ,the ferrule 71, whereby rotation of the lowershaft-section 20 will be imparted to the upper shaft-section 20; theinterlocking ferrules also inducing proper centering of I. theshaft-sections while the same are being assembled.

The covering sleeve72 at its lower end is placed in a suitable groove orboss formed on the upper side of the housing 25, see Figure 3; while theupper end of the sleevecovering 72 is preferabl shown extending into asocket in the cylindrical portion of casting 75, see Figure 6. Theinternal diameter of casting 75 is larger than the diameter of shaftsection 20 so as to also receive the elongated hub-portion 7 6 of thelower casting 77, which latter, in conjunction with the upper casting78, is adapted to provide a suitable housing for the gearing wherebypower is transmitted to the wringer indicated at 79 in Figures 1 and 6.The

casting is flanged as shown at 7 5 in Figure 1 to provide means forsecuring the casting 75 The hub-portion 76 provides suitable bearing forthe shaft- I, section 20 and extends preferably to a point substantiallyin contact with the ferrulemember 73, so that ion itudina-l movement ofshaft-section 20 in t e lower portion 7 7 of the housingwill beprevented after the bevel ear has been secured to the upperv end 0shaft-section 20*. In the referred construction, the'lower casting 77 ofthe housing is provided with a socket adapted to receive the hub-portion81-of the gear 80; the socket being of such diameter or size as topermit free rotation of hub 81 and therefore also of gear 80'; thesocket provid-' ing a suitable rease or lubricant-receiving chamberwhereby lubricant will be supplied to the gearing as well as to theshaft-section; the casting at a point surrounding the shaftreceivingopening within the socket or chamber being preferably provided with aslight boss, as shown at 82.

The bevel gear 80- meshes with the oppositely disposed bevel gears 83and 84, both of which are preferably provided with extended hubs, theinwardly presented portions whereof are provided with interlocking'surfaces or clutch-forming portions, as shown at 85 and 86, respectivey. The bevel ears 83 and 84 are'loosely mounted on a shaft 87 disposedlaterally within the housing composed of the upper and lower ortions 78and 77, respectively. Both portions 77 and 78 of the housing areprovided with the outwardly presented hub-portions 88 and 89,respectively,preferably having periph-.

eral flanges at opposite ends of the hub-portions so as to provide seatsfor the bushing 90 whereby suitable bearing for the end of shaft 87 isprovided; the inner peripheral flanges of the hub-portions also providinsuitable--me-ans for engaging the hub-0 bevel gear 83 and therebypreventin move- 'ment of the gear lengthwise of sha 87 so that'thebe'vel gear 83 will be maintained in mesh with bevel gear 80. I

At a suitable point intermediateiof the ends of the housing, both upperand lower castings 77 and 78 are shown provided with the oppositelydisposed ribs or partitions 91 and 92, respectively, adapted to providesuitable bearing for the inner end of shaft 87.

' The end of the shaft which extends beyond the ribs or partitions 91and 92 is preferably provided with a-ferrule 93 secured thereto so as'torotate therewith and shown similar in construction with the ferrule 71on vertical shaft 20. The ferrule 93 has a projection or in 94 adaptedto enter a correlated socket in a ferrule 95 secured to the trunnion orjournal of the lower wringer roll 98 so as to impart rotation thereto.Both lower and upper castings 77 and 78 are preferably extended beyondthe partitions or ribs 91 and 92 so as to provide suitable attachingpoints for the ,wringer 79, to wit the downwardly and upwardly presentedflanges 97 and 98, respectively, which are adapted to be screwed orotherwise secured to the side frame of the wringer the flanges 97 and 98being also preferably provided "with flanges adapted to engage with theSlidahly keyed to shaft 87 by means-of slot and pin connection, asindicated 88 and at a oint intermediate of bevel gears '84, provide thedouble clutch member 108 which is provided with ends ada ted to have itsinterlocking engagement with t e extended" hub-portions 85 and 88 ofbevel gears 83 and 84, respectively. The clutch-member 100 is free toslide on shaft 87 but is adapted to rotate therewith so that rotationmay be imparted to either bevel gear 8.3 or 84-when the clutch member ismoved into clutching engagement therewith. The. clutch member 100 isprovided with the circumferential flanges 101 adjacent opposite ends ofthe clutch member, for the purpose of swarm therebetween theeccentrically disposed head-portion 102 of the pin 103 which extendsupward through the top casting 78 of the housing and has its outer endprovided with a suitable operating lever 104 secured thereto in anysuitable manner. The headportion 102 is so disposed on the lower end ofpin 103 and between the circumferential flanges 101 of clutch-member100, that rotation of pin103, through oscillation of lever 104, willinduce clutch-member 100 to be shifted either to the right or to theleft from the neutral or disengaged position shown in Figure 6. Assumingdrive-shaft 20 and 20 to be rotating to the left in Figure 6, as indicated by the arrow, it is evident that when clutch-member 100 isshifted to the left in Figure 6 and into clutching engagement with bevelgear 83, then shaft 87 as well as the lower wringer roll 96, willbe-rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow on the lowerwringer-roll 96; while a shifting of the clutchto the right in Figure 6will induce' reverse rotation of shaft 8'7 and there fore also of lowerwringer-roll 96 because of the fact that power will be imparted tc shaft87 through the medium of bevel gear 'as to provide, in conjunction withthe sides of the castings 7 7 and 78,-a suitable inclosure for thegearing and prevent any interference therewithor the possibility ofclothes being engaged thereby. 4

In order to maintain the clutch mechanism in, as well as to determineits adjusted positioml prefer to provide the lever 10% with 'a detent orlug 106, see Figure 6, adapted to extend into suitable notches orengaging surfaces provided at predetermined points on the boss formationof upper casting 78.

The cylindrical castin or sleeve 75 terminates at the upper en in acircumferential flange adapted to take against the lower portion ofcasting 7 7; and at one side of the cylindrical casting or sleeve 75 isprovided with a slotshown at 107for the reception of the upper end orhead of a lever 108. The cylindrical casting or sleeve 7 5, at thispoint, maybe provided with a pair of lugs on opposite sides of thesocket 107 to receive the pin 109 whereby lever 108 is pivotally securedin place.

The leven is provided with a head so 4 formed that when the lever 108 israised to horizontal position, the head will force the compositeear-casing or housing and wring er upward y and thereby also lift theshaftshown in Figure 8. With the lever 108 in vertical position, thecomposite gear housing and wringer will be locked against rotation aboutthe axis of the vertical shaft. The gear-housing and its relation to thevertical shaft, as well as to the supporting casting 7 5, will permitthe wringer to be swung through the arc of a circle, and toany desireddegree, as indicated by the relation of notches 111 to each other, thusenabling the wringer to be employed regardless of the direction in whichit is presented relative to the drive-shaft 20.

In Figures 9, 10 and 11, l disclose a modified form of my invention,namely means whereby the sections of the vertically dis-.

posed main shaft 20, 20 may be quickly thrown out of operative relation,while the wringer, indicated at 7 9, is being positioned. The drivingmechanism for the wringer may be similar to that disclosed in Figure 6,with the exception that the lower casting 77*, of the gear casingorhousing, has the hub-portion 112 provided with one or more dependinglugs 118, 113 preferably four in number and disposed at diametricallyopposite points, as shown in Figure 10. The lugs are preferably madearcuate and adapted to extend into the sockets or cut-away portions 114formed in the circular flange or top of the casting 75 The sockets orcut-away portions 114 are preferably circumferentially disposed andarranged 90 degrees apart as clearly shown in Figure 11, thus permittingthe wringer to be positioned at either one of the four points. When thewringer has been positioned, the lugs 113 will fit into diametricallyopposite sockets 114. As is evident from the construction shown,movement of the wringer, together with the gear-housing or casing,through the arc of a circldtlbout the axis of main drive shaft 20, 20,will force the lugs out of the sockets, and therefore cause the wringerand gear casing, as well as the upper section 20 of the main driveshaft,to be moved vertically, thereby forcing the'main drive. shaft-sectionsout of moved for shipment or any other purpose, without in any wayinterfering with the intermeshing gears;

I have shown and described what I believe to be the simplest and bestconstruction of my invention, but the same may be altered in certaindetails without, however, departin fromthe spirit of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In driving mechanism of the class'described, avertically disposed drive shaft, a driven shaft, gearing intermediateof-both.

shafts for imparting motion from the former'to the latter, a portion ofsaid gearing being secured to the first mentioned shaft, while the otherportion is mounted on the second mentioned shaft, a sectional housingsecured about said, gearing and; about the adjacent portions of saidshafts, a supporting. member for said housing and the upper-portion ofthe drive'shaft, means intermediate of said supporting member and thehousing whereby the upper portion of said drive shaft may be movedvertically into inoperative position.

2. In driving-mechanism of the class described, a sectional verticallydisposed drive shaft, a driven shaft, gearing intermediate of the uppersection of the drive shaft and said driven shaft, a portion of saidgearing being secured to the upper drive shaft section, while the otherportion is mounted onthe driven shaft, asectional housing for thegearing and theupper section of said drive shaft, means whereby theupper section of the drive shaft is locked in one section of saidhousing against vertical dis placement, a supporting member for saidhousing, and means intermediate of said, supporting member and saidhousing whereby the ,housing and said drive shaft section may be forcedupwardly and locked in adjusted positions.

.3. In driving mechanism for the wringer of a washing machine, avertically disposed sectional drive-shaft, means whereby the sections ofsaid shaft are operatively con nected together and vertical movement ofthe upper section permitted, a wringershaft disposed transversely of theend of the upper drive-shaft section, gearing intermediate of saiddriveshaft section and the wringer-shaft whereby the latter mayselectively be rotated in opposite directions, wringer-supportinghousing disposed about said gearing, the wringer-shaft and the adjacentsection of the drive-shaft, supporting means for said housing adapted topermit rotative and upward movement of the housing and enclosedelements, and means whereby the housing may be moved upwardly and theadjacentdrive-shaft section disconnected from the. drive-shaft 6.

tion. 4. In' driving mechanism for the wringer .of a, washing machine,averti'cally disposed sectional drive-shaft, means whereby the sectionsare operatively connected together, a

wringer-shaft disposed across the end of the upper drive-shaft section,gearing intermediate of said drive-shaft section and the wringer-shaftwhereby the latter may be rotated, selectively, in opposite directions,a wringer-supporting housing in which said gearing and upper drive-shaftsection are mounted, supporting means in which a portion of'said housingis rotatably and slidably mounted, and correlated elements, intermediateof the adj acentsurfaces of the housing and said supporting meanswhereby the housing and upper drive-shaft section may be moved upwardlyand the drive-shaft sections disconnected and said housing lockedagainst rotation when the upper drive-shaft sect-ion is operativelyconnected with its adjacent drive-shaft section.

5. In driving mechanism for the wringer of a washing machine, avertically disy the sections are operativelyv connected together, awringer-shaft disposed at the end of the upper drive-shaft section,gearing intermediate of said drive-shaft section, and the wringer-shaftwhereby the latter may be rotated, selectively, in

opposite directions, a winger-supporting housing in which said gearinand upper drive-shaft section are mounte a support- H ing memberdisposed about a'portion of said housing, and a cam lever, secured tosaid supporting member, adapted, when in one position,-to lock saidhousing against rotation and to move said housing with the upper sectionof the drive-shaft upwardly out of operative relation when in a' sec-'ond position. i

6. Driving mechanism for the wring-er of a washing machine, comprising avertically disposed sectional drive-shaft, the sections whereof areoperatively connected together to permit separation, a gear fixedlysecured to the end of the upper drive-shaft section, supporting housingfor said driveshaft section, a driven shaft disposed transversely of theend of the upper drive-shaft section, a pair of gears loosely mounted onsaid driven shaft in constant'mesh with said drive-shaft gear atdiametrically opposite points, a double clutch slidably keyed to ofloosely mounted gears, a housing for said driven shaft, gerirs andclutch, supported on said first mentioned supporting housing andconstituting a supporting bracket for the wringer, andmeans,intermediate of the adjacent surfaces of both 'said driven shaftintermediate of the pair.

@ I Y resales V housings whereby the upper drive shaft section may bemoved out of operative relation with the other drive shaft'section andthe wringer supporting housing locked-in. its adjusted positions.

7. The combination with a support and a housing mounted for rotarymovement thereupon, of transmission gearing Within said housing, aclutch associated with said transmission gearing, means for locking thehousing to the support and manually operable means for simultaneouslyactuating said clutch "and said locking means.

8. In a wringer comprising an adjustable wringer support and anoperating mechanism for the wringer including-a clutch movable from aneutral to an operative position, the provision of a retaining deviceoperable to automatically lock the support against movement upon shiftinof the clutch to an operative position an to automatically release thesupport upon return of the clutch to its neutral position.

9. in a wringer comprising an adjustable wringer support and anoperating mechanism for the wringer-including a clutch movable from aneutral to an operative position, the provision of a retaining deviceoperable to automatically lock the support against movement :uponshifting of the clutch to an operative position and to automaticallyrelease the support upon return of the clutch to its neutral position,of a single operating member controlling the operation of both theclutch and the retaining device.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination with awringer pivoted about a vertical axis, and a -driving member concentricwith said axis for operating the same, of means for making and breakingthe operative connection between said member and wringer, and meansoperable by said first means for latching said wringer ositionrelatively to said vertical axis during the time that such operativeconnection exists.

' ll. lln a swinging wringer construction, a relatively fixed support, arelatively rotatable head, a wrin er carried by said head and. having asha t, a power shaft, means movable tomake and break operativeconnection between the power shaft and the wringer shaft, means to latchthe head against rotation, and a single operating lever for actuatingthe latching means and the connection controlling means and to effeetthe stated .power connection to the wringershaft only when the head islatched against rotation.

12. In aidevice' of the class described, the combination of a su port, asectional shaft at one side thereo means to clutch the shaft sectionswhen they are in operative positions, a wrin er mechanism removablysuppod on said support and; conside thereof, a wringer frame, detachablecoacting supporting means on said support. .and on, said frame, wherebythe wringer frame may be mounted on said support, a shaft in said frame,means to connect said shafts, means to lock the frame in differentpositions, and means to simultaneously release said locking means and todisconnect said shafts. p

14:. A. wringer supporting and reversing mechanism provided with asupport adapted to be attached to a washing machine, a frame pivoted tosaid support and arranged to be removable therefrom without detachingany of the parts of the mechanism, a wringer rigidly fixed to saidframe, means to lock the wringer frame in any one of several positions,reversing mechanism car ried by said frame-and having connection withthe wringer mechanism, said reversing mechanism being arranged so thatit may be detachably connected to a driving 'shaft on the-washingmachine, whereby the frame,

means to simultaneously release said lock ing means and detach saidreversing mechanism from its driving shaft.

15. A wringer supporting and reversing mechanism provided with a supportadapt ed to be attached to a washing machine, a frame pivoted to saidsupport so as to swing about a vertical axis and arrangedto be removablefrom said support-without detaching any of the parts of the mechanism, awrlnghr rigidly fixed to said frame, means to lock the wringer frame in.any oneof several. positions, reversing mechanism carried by said frameand having connection with the wringer mechanism, said reversingmechanism being arranged so that it ma be detachably connected to adriving sha t means and detach said reversing mechanism from its drivingshaft.

16. In combination, a washing machine, a. driving shaft carried thereby,a support at tached to the washing machine, a frame pivoted to saidsupport and arranged to be removed therefrom without detaching any fixedparts, a wringerfixe'd to said frame, means to lock said frame indifierent positions, a. reversing mechanism carried by the racemes frameand connected to the wringer mechanism, said reversing mechanism beingarranged to be detachably connected to the driving shaft and to reversethe direction of the wringer independently of the direction of rotationof the driving shaft, whereby the frame, wringer and reversing mechanismmay be moved about the support and readily removed as a unit therefrom,and means to simultaneously release said locking means and detach saidreversing mechanism from said driving shaft.

17. A wringer supporting and reversing mechanism comprising a supportadapted to be attached to a washing machine, a frame pivoted to saidsupport and arranged to be removable therefrom without detaching anyfixed parts, a wringer fixed to said frame, means to lock said frame indifferent positions, a reversing mechanism carried by said frame andconnected to the wringer mechanism and including a vertically disposeddriving shaft, means for clutching'said shaft to power means of thewashing machine, said reversing mechanism being arranged so that thedirection of rotation of the wringer may be reversed without affectingthe connection between said mechanism and the wringer mechanism and alsowithout changing the direction of rotation of said driving shaft,whereby the frame, wringer and reversing mechanism may be moved aboutthe support to any position and operated and reversed in said positionor be readily removed as a unit from the support, and means tosimultaneously release said locking means and detach said driving shaftfrom clutch connection with the power means of the washing machine.

18. In combination, a wringer, a frame rigidly attached to said wringer,a shaft carried by said frame coupled to the wringer mechanism, a secondshaft carried by said frame at an angle to the first, means to clutchsaid second shaft to power means of a washing machine, means betweensaid shafts for reversing the rotation of the shaft connected to thewringer mechanism independently of the rotation of said second shaft, asupportadapted to be attached to a washing machine, said support beingarranged to receive the frame so that it may be swung on a vertical axisand the entire frame with the reversing and wringer readily removed aS aunit from said support, coacting means on sup ort and frame for lockingthe latter in di erent positions, and means to simultaneously releasesaid looking means and declutch said second shaft from the power meansof the washing machine.

19. In a device of the class described, a support attachable to awashing machine and formed with a vertically disposed tubular bearing, aframe provided With 8 sleeve extension adapted to have a journal bearingin the tubular bearing of said support, said frame being swingable aboutsaid support and bodily removable therefrom, a wringer mechanismconnected 'with said frame including a shaft having a bearing in thesleeve extension of said frame, a driving shaft, means for clutchingsaid shafts, a lever pivotally connected to said support and adapted tocoact with said frame to lock it in different positions, the vactuationof the lever in one direction releasing the frame and simultaneouslydeclutching said shafts.

20. In a device of the class described, a support attachable to awashing machine having a vertically disposed tubular bearing and anupper flanged end, a frame provided with a sleeve extension adapted tohave a journal bearing in the tubular bearing of said support and havinga bearing surface adapted to be rotated on the flanged end of saidsupport and provided with means adapted to coact with means on saidsupport for locking said frame in different positions, said frame beingbodily remov-' able from said support, a wringer mechanism connectedwith said frameincluding a shaft having a bearing in the sleeveextension of said frame, a driving shaft, means for clutching saidshafts, a lever pivoted to said support and provided with means, which,when the lever is in one position will coact with the bearing surface ofsaid frame to lock it in different positions, and when in anotherposition adapted to raise said frame and declutch said shafts.

21. In a device of the character described, in combination with awashing machine, a wringer frame swingable about a vertical axis andbodily removable therefrom, a wringer mechanism connected with saidframe, a vertically disposed sectionaloperating shaft for saidmechanism, one of said sections being operatively connected withsaidmechanism and removable therewith, the other of said sections beingoperatively connected with power means on the washing machine, clutchmeans to connect said shaft sections when in operative relation, meansadapted to engage said frame to lock it in different positions aboutsaid vertical axis, said means being operable to release said frame andsimultaneously declutch said shafts, and a closure for housing saidsectional shafts and attachable to said wash ing machine.

* 22. In a machine of the character described, in combination, avertically disposed shaft, a driving mechanism, geari'n connecting thedriving mechanism with sai shaft, an operating means located at theupper end of said shaft and swingable theresaid operating means withsaid shaft,- means having a clutch at its upper end, means forcontinuously rotating said shaft in one direction, an operating meansremovably and swingably supported about the upper end of said shaft,means connected with said operating means for engagement with the clutchon said shaft, means for locking said operating means against swingingmovement when the operating means is in clutch engagement with theclutch on said shaft, and means for lifting said operating means and forsimultaneously releasing the locking means and for declutching saidoperating means from the clutch on said shaft.

24. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a Wringer,a swingable support therefor, a sectional shaft, complementary clutchparts normally clutching the shaft sections, means to operate one shaft,section, means to operate the wringer lock, and means to separate saidclutch.

parts, simultaneously with the release of said lock.

25. In a machine of the character de-' scribed, in combination, amachine casing, a tubular casing supported from the machine casing, aswingable support having a tubular casing telescoped into said firsttubular casing, a wringer secured to said swingable support, a sectionalshaft journaled in said tubular casings, complementary clutch partsnormally clutching the shaft sections, means to operate one shaftsection, means to operate the wringer from the other shaft section,means to lock the swingable support against rotation, and means toseparate said clutch parts, simultaneously with the release of saidlock.

LAWRENCE W. MAMMEN. Witnesses:

G. HEIDMAN, F. A. FLORELL.

